A ‘Coal’ Building on Campus?

A ‘Coal’ Building on Campus?

The Nation‘s sports editor Dave Zirin argues that corporate naming rights on college campuses are a bad idea.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

Joseph W. Craft III, head of a company called Alliance Coal, is willing to donate $7 million to the University of Kentucky for a new dorm facility if the school puts the word “coal” in the dorm’s name. Nation sports editor Dave Zirin visits the Rachel Maddow Show to discusses why this is ridiculous, pointing out the irony that the building would run on green energy. Most importantly, however, in order to build the dorm, the university would have to knock down the Joe B. Hall Lodge, named for an alumnus who played on the basketball team and later coached them to a national championship. Zirin pleads for keeping corporate branding off college campuses, and hopes that coalitions and basketball fans will take action to prevent this from happening.

–Alana Levinson

Check out more great Nation videos on our YouTube channel.

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x